Reunion Mission (Rangers Under Fire)

by Virginia Vaughan

  She spotted Principal Spencer heading their way along with Preston and two uniformed officers a few steps behind him.

  “Claire, Agent Ross, I was just coming to find you. Detective Ware was looking for you in the security office,” Principal Spencer stated.

  Matt immediately tensed. “We just arrived. What’s happening?” he asked Preston. “Is there a break in the case?”

  “There has been. Forensics came back on the knife. It was Luke’s blood on the blade and—” Preston’s steely eyes bored into Claire’s “—your fingerprints on the handle.”

  Her heart sank. That couldn’t have happened. She’d never touched the murder weapon. She hadn’t even seen the murder weapon.

  She shook her head frantically. “No, that’s not possible. It has to be a mistake.”

  “It’s no mistake,” Preston stated. “Your fingerprints are on file from when you applied for a teaching certificate. The match is indisputable. A team is already performing a search of your house. I’m sorry, Claire, I have no choice but to arrest you for the murder of Luke Thompson.”

  He pulled out his handcuffs and Claire moved back, running into Matt’s solid frame. He stepped between her and Preston. “You don’t honestly think Claire killed him, do you?”

  “It doesn’t matter what I think. The DA has seen the evidence. He wants her taken into custody and booked for murder.”

  “No, no!” Principal Spencer stepped forward. “This has to be a mistake. Claire would never harm a student.”

  “I’m sorry, Claire. I’m only doing my job.”

  She wasn’t comforted one bit by his plea for understanding. She felt violated, exposed. At this very moment, strangers were pawing through her belongings looking for evidence to link her to Luke’s murder. They shouldn’t find anything because it didn’t exist, but that thought didn’t help. Not when they were also claiming her fingerprints were on the knife that was used to kill Luke.

  Matt turned to her. “Think, Claire. When you entered the classroom and saw Luke on the floor, was the knife there? Did you pick it up?” She felt the anxiousness pouring off him. He was scared, scared of what this turn of events might mean.

  “No. I didn’t see any knife. I never saw a knife. Preston, you know me. You know I would never kill anyone. And I would never harm a student. I’m being set up.”

  “How do you explain that someone is after her if she’s the one who killed Luke?” Matt demanded.

  “Maybe she has an accomplice who wants to shut her up. Or maybe she made it all up and no one is really after her. She could be faking all of this to throw us off her scent. No one really knows what happened in that classroom except for Claire.”

  “I was in that classroom. I saw a man run out. Besides, she didn’t shoot up her own house or drive the truck that nearly ran her down, did she? She didn’t fake those incidents.”

  Preston reached around Matt and grabbed her arm. He slapped on the handcuffs, the metal digging hard into her wrists as they snapped shut. He recited the Miranda rights to her as he walked her toward his car. Opening the back door of his cruiser, he asked her, “Do you understand these rights as I’ve explained them to you, Claire?”

  She nodded, then turned back for one last look at Matt, still standing in shock, before she allowed Preston to push her into the backseat and close the door.

  It seemed everything about her life was falling apart, and now she was under arrest for Luke’s murder. Could things get any worse?

  “Don’t worry, Claire,” she heard Matt call after her. “We’ll get this all straightened out.”

  She turned back to look at Matt, who stood at the curb watching the cruiser pull away.

  * * *

  As he drove to the police station, Matt was still trying to recapture the breath that had left him at the sight of Claire being taken away in handcuffs.

  His mind wanted to refuse to accept this new information. Not Claire. Not his Claire. But he had to admit that Preston was right. Ten years could change a person. He was living proof of that. But how could Claire have changed that much? Was it possible she was behind Luke’s drug involvement? Was she responsible for his death? Had she indeed killed him?

  No!

  People didn’t change that much. And there had been a man in that classroom that day Luke was killed.

  He waited at the jail until he could see her, then watched as she entered the interview room where he’d arranged to speak privately with her. She looked small and vulnerable, but her big blue eyes widened hopefully when she saw him.

  He pulled her tightly into an embrace.

  “How are you holding up?” he asked.

  “I’m okay,” she assured him, then her chin quivered. “I’m scared. I had nothing to do with Luke’s death.”

  “I know and I’m going to prove it.”

  “What happens now?”

  “You’ll have a preliminary hearing tomorrow morning and the judge will set bond.”

  She nodded. “Then I can get out of here?”

  “Yes.” His heart ached at the thought of her being inside this place for even one night. He’d taken for granted that he’d be able to see her and talk to her.

  “I promise you, Claire, I will find out who is behind this. I won’t give up on you.”

  He thought he saw a momentary flash of concern in her face—like the one from the night before—then she smiled again. “Thank you.”

  But that momentary flash bothered him as he left the jail. He’d promised not to give up on her and she’d had a moment of doubt. Could he blame her? Hadn’t he already left her once before when she needed him? He grimaced at the memory. Leaving Claire was one of his biggest regrets. He’d made excuses throughout the years, reminding himself that he’d only been a boy then and hadn’t been prepared for the responsibility he shouldered. But that’s all it was—excuses. He’d allowed his own guilt and shame to rule his life. But he was no longer a boy. He was a man now and he was used to taking on heavy burdens. It was time to face up to his own.

  He owed Claire everything. But it was more than a guilty conscience that was driving him now. He believed in her and he couldn’t—he wouldn’t—allow her to take the fall for someone else. She had too good a heart to kill anyone in cold blood, much less one of her students. He’d spent the past ten years of his life learning to read people, and even if he hadn’t previously known her, he would know she was incapable of doing what the police were charging her with. And if Preston believed it, then he didn’t know Claire as well as he thought he did.

  Matt’s phone rang and he saw it was Brad Harris, his supervisor, calling. He answered it, prepared to give him an update, but he spoke first.

  “I just learned that an arrest has been made in the Luke Thompson murder?”

  How had his supervisor learned of the arrest and its specifics so quickly? “They did arrest someone, but I don’t believe she’s connected.”

  “According to the report I’ve obtained, the locals are claiming the boy’s death had nothing to do with the drug ring. He had no drugs in his system and his suspected killer was his teacher. I think you’re searching in the wrong place. Your only lead is dead and we have no other avenues to explore.”

  Matt saw his support with the agency faltering. “Sir, I disagree with the local police findings. I still believe following up on Luke’s murder is the right way to continue.”

  “I don’t think so, Matt. We need to focus our efforts elsewhere. I’ll expect you back in the office tomorrow morning. We’ll figure out a new course of action then.”

  Matt hung his head. He was being called off the investigation just when Claire needed him most. He hadn’t been with the DEA long and he wasn’t usually one to break the rules, but he also wasn’t about to give up on Claire...not again.

  “I have some va
cation days saved up. I’d like to take them now if that’s all right with you. I’m already back in my hometown, and my sister’s wedding is coming up.”

  Brad sighed as if to let him know he wasn’t fooling anyone with his vacation request. “Okay, Matt. Then I’ll see you back in the office next week.” Before he disconnected, Brad said one more thing. “Be careful.”

  Matt assured him he would, then disconnected the call. He knew Claire had had nothing to do with Luke’s death and he was still committed to finding out who did. But with one phone call from his supervisor, he’d just lost his backup at the agency.

  He and Claire were on their own.

  * * *

  Why, God? Why?

  Claire sat on the bed and leaned against the wall in her private cell. Why was this happening to her? First someone was trying to kill her and now she was being framed for murder? She didn’t understand why someone, anyone, would want to do this to her.

  Outside the bars that held her, she heard the sound of footfalls and shouts of curses and lewd comments. She didn’t belong here and she was terrified of what her future now held.

  She took a breath and tried to calm down, reminding herself that God was on her side. He would protect her even in this awful place and He would rescue her from this miscarriage of justice.

  She thought of Matt and her revelation that God had sent him to her to protect her. She just had to hang on and have faith that he could clear her name. But doubts still crept into her mind. How could he shield her from a murder charge?

  She closed her eyes and tried to breathe. All she could do was pray and answer their questions honestly, which she’d done. Yes, she had a set of knives like the one that had been identified as the murder weapon. She was certain a hundred other families had the same knife set in their kitchens. But she hadn’t used hers to hurt anyone. In fact, she hadn’t even used them to cook in weeks.

  Someone spoke her name and she looked up to see Preston watching her through the bars. “Are you still mad at me?” he asked in a quiet voice.

  She stood and approached the door. She’d had a lot of time to think and to realize that Preston was just doing his job. It didn’t make her feel any better about the situation, but she couldn’t fault him for it. “No, I’m not angry. But you have to know I had nothing to do with Luke’s murder.”

  “I don’t believe you’re guilty, Claire, but the evidence against you is mounting. Forensics have identified your knife set matches the one they found with Luke’s blood. Plus, your set is missing the chef’s knife, the same type of knife used to kill Luke. And the DA is speculating that you sent that text to yourself from Luke’s phone in order to give you an alibi. It was wiped clean of prints.”

  “I didn’t. I’m telling the truth. You know me, Preston. You know I’m not capable of that kind of deceit.”

  He placed his hand over hers on the bar. “I know you’re innocent, Claire, but the truth is that you can’t always trust that you truly know someone. Some people are capable of more deceit than you would ever believe.”

  She supposed that was true. Someone—probably someone she knew—was responsible for Luke’s death and a drug ring operating in her school. “I pray Matt can find out who is doing this to me soon.”

  Preston jerked his hand away at her words. “I don’t understand why you’re so dependent on a man who let you down when you needed him. I’m here for you, too, Claire. I’m working this case just as hard trying to find out who is setting you up.”

  “I know you are, Preston, and I’m thankful for you. You’re a good friend.”

  “Besides, you may have no choice but to depend on me after today. The DEA has surrendered this case to Lakeshore PD. They’re no longer involved.”

  “What?”

  “The chief wasn’t thrilled with them investigating in Lakeshore. He spoke to Matt’s supervisor this morning and he’s calling off Matt’s investigation. He’s probably packing his bags to leave town right now.”

  Claire’s heart sank at this new revelation. Was Matt going to leave her again when she was counting on him for help?

  Preston must have seen her agitation because he covered her hand with his once more. “I’m here, Claire. I’m not going anywhere, and I promise you I will find out who is trying to pin Luke’s murder on you. I won’t leave you. I will never leave you.”

  She tried to find comfort in Preston’s words, but all she could focus on for the rest of the afternoon was the idea that Matt was being called off the investigation. Would he leave her? Would he drop the search for Luke’s killer and leave her alone and in prison, taking the fall for something she didn’t do?

  She didn’t want to believe it. But Preston had planted a seed of doubt that she couldn’t brush away because he was right when he said it wouldn’t be the first time Matt Ross had let her down when she’d needed him most.

  * * *

  Matt returned to the school intent on completing what he’d wanted to do before Claire was arrested. Even without the backing of his DEA supervisor, he wasn’t giving up on Claire. He was going to find out who killed Luke, who was behind the threats against Claire and who was responsible for the Trixie ring operating in Lakeshore High School.

  He was pulling into the parking lot when he spotted the very truck he’d been searching for parked in the teachers’ lot. He slammed on his brakes and jumped out to examine the truck. It had the same tinted windows and a red sticker on the driver’s-side windshield. Matt saw it was from a local golf club. He took out his phone and checked the vehicle registration number against the one he’d noted on Brown’s registration. It matched.

  He bent and looked at the front end where the truck that had tried to run down Claire had clipped the concrete barrier. This bumper had seen recent damage, confirming his suspicion that Brown was indeed the owner of the truck that had tried to run Claire down.

  He returned to his own car and parked, then headed inside. It was time to confront Daryl Brown and get answers. Was he also responsible for setting up Claire for Luke’s murder? But if he was, how had he done it? He rationalized Brown was a chemist. Surely he knew how to lift fingerprints and transfer them to the knife that had implicated Claire.

  As he passed the office, Spencer rushed out and walked with him. “How is Claire? I can’t believe this is happening. Of course, I don’t believe a word of it. Claire would never harm a student.”

  “She’ll be better once I can prove she’s being set up.”

  “What can I do?”

  “Where’s Daryl Brown?”

  “In his classroom. Why?”

  “He’s about to need a substitute to finish teaching his class.”

  “Of course. I’ll arrange to have someone go there right now.” He rushed off and Matt headed for the science hallway and paced in front of Brown’s door. He wanted nothing more than to burst in and drag Brown out, but he held back that impulse. He didn’t need to traumatize these students any more than they already were. He would wait for Spencer to arrive with the sub.

  The principal showed up a few minutes later with another teacher in tow. “This is Mrs. Wright. She has a free period right now.”

  “I’m glad to help,” she stated. “I can’t believe it about Claire. It just doesn’t seem right. She’s so sweet. She would never hurt anyone.”

  Matt was glad Claire had the support of her fellow teachers and her principal. He briefly wondered if they would feel the same about Brown if it turned out he was the killer. He wouldn’t have to wait long to find out the answer.

  Spencer opened the door and peeked inside, asking Brown if he could step into the hall for a moment.

  “What’s going on?” Brown demanded when he joined them.

  “Agent Ross needs to ask you some questions,” Principal Spencer stated. “They can’t wait. Mrs. Wright will take over yo
ur class for now.”

  Anger and bitterness flashed through Brown’s expression, then he gave Mrs. Wright the book he had in his hand. “There are copies of a pop quiz I was planning to give tomorrow in the top drawer of my desk. You might as well go ahead and give it, then have them read the next chapter for homework.”

  She took the book and nodded, then stepped into the classroom and closed the door.

  “I’ll be in my office if anyone needs me,” Principal Spencer said, then walked off down the hall.

  Brown looked at Matt. “What is this about?”

  “I have a few questions about your truck,” Matt told him, then walked outside to the parking lot.

  “Is this your vehicle?” he asked, motioning to the black truck.

  “Yes, it is. Why do you ask?”

  Matt pointed toward the bumper. “Looks like you had an accident here.”

  Brown glanced at the bumper, then shook his head and sighed disgustedly. “Unbelievable.”

  “Maybe you heard about a truck trying to run down Claire Kendall several days ago. The vehicle that tried to run her down looked a lot like this one.”

  “Now wait just a minute,” Brown demanded. “I had nothing to do with that. I haven’t even had my truck for over a week. It’s been at the mechanic’s. I only just got the keys back today. You should know that since you saw me leaving my house in a rental car.”

  “Who’s your mechanic?”

  “I let a student do some work on the engine. Ryan Summerhold.”

  The same kid Claire had overheard Brown arguing with over money. Was it possible it was simply a discussion about the cost of repairs?

  “So Ryan had the truck the day Claire was nearly run over?”

  “Yes. I gave it to him last Friday. He said it would be ready by Monday, but then he kept putting me off. Finally, I’d had enough. I demanded he return it.”

  Was that the argument Claire had overheard? So Ryan was involved. Matt was sorry to hear that, and he knew Claire would be disappointed that the boy had stepped so easily into Luke’s shoes.